Korg Berlin, a music instrument R&D division co-founded by Maximilian Rest and Tatsuya Takahashi in 2020, has officially revealed its first prototype — the Acoustic Synthesis_phase5.
The device is described as a marriage of an acoustic instrument and synth-like controls. Unlike a traditional synthesizer that uses oscillators, phase5 uses tuned metal forks that produce distinct fundamental notes and overtones like a real live instrument. Since it uses acoustic resonators instead of electric circuits, the device exhibits unique properties such as reverbing like an electirc guitar when held near an amp and ringing when dropped or hit against the side.
“We’re trying to capture this rawness of instruments, while being at the same time, controllable like a synthesizer,” Takahashi explains to Reverb in an interview.
For now, phase5 is still in its prototype stage and may or may not go to market depending on public interest. Take a closer look via the introductory video from Reverb below.
Early prototype that unites the sonic richness of real physically vibrating bodies with synth-like control. It demonstrates our latest efforts in merging the physical world with electronics to make instruments that act and feel alive.
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